Draft and buffing gear for cars.



PATENTED JAN. 22, 1907. I. 0. WRIGHT & J. H. FARLOW.

DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR FOR CARS. I

APPLICATION FILED MAR.22,1905.

2 1 k J i \VM 3 K my UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRA ORVILLE WRIGHT AND JOHN HANCOCK FARLOW, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND,- ASSIGNORS TO FARLOW DRAFT GEAR COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 22, 1907.

Application file-l March 22, 1905. Serial No. 251,526.

To all whom/it may concern Be it knownthat we,IRA ORVILLE W IGHT and JOHN HANCOCK FARLOW, citizens of the United States, residing .at Baltimorecity, State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Draft and Bufling Gear for Cars, of which the following is a specification.

The object of our invention is the provision of certain improvements in draft and bufiing gear for cars and of a character somewhat similar to the improvements patent-ed to us on September 22, 1903, No. 739,770 v The present invention consists in certain novelties of construction and combinations.

and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter set cording to the best mode we have so far (levised forthe practical application of the principle.

Figure l is a vertical sectional view in elevation of the gear, taken on the longitudinal dotted line of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a half top plan and half horizontal sectional view of the gear, the center sills and floor being removed. Fig. 3 shows a face view of acheek-plate. Fig. 4 is an edge View of Fig. 3. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are views of one of the follower-blocks, which are of identical construction, so as to be interchangeable. Fig. 8 is a face view of a link. 1 Referring to the several figures, the nu moral 1 designates one of the two cen'ter sills, which are of ordinary construction; 2, the draft sills ortimbers located beneath the center sills and secured to the latter by bolts; 3,, the body-bolster, in thi'sinstance consisting of two metallic plates spaced apart at their centersand united at their ends in a well-known 'manner 4, a filling-block located between the draft-timbers and to which it is bolted and bearing against the body-bolster;

5, three elongated slots in the draft-sills; 6,

the two cheek-plates, each of which is seated or countersunk within the face of the draft timber; 7, elongated slots in the cheek-plates,

which slots correspond withthe slots 5 in the draft-timbers; 8, the coupler and draw-bar; 9, a horizontal hole or passage through the draw-bar shank; 10, the front follower-block;

1] the rear follower-block, identical in construction with the front block, so as to be interchangeable therewith; 12, the horizontal holes through the blocks; 13, the guide-pins,- 14, the spring-retaining lugs or pins, each block having two, as shown; 15, two helical springs arranged parallel one above the other and retained in position by engagement with the lugs or' pins upon the blocks; 16, the two sidelinks; 17,-elongated slots in the links; 18, the draft-keys, with tapered ends 19, the carry-iron for the draw-bar; 20, the buffer- 'block; 21, a seat in the filling-block 4 for the reception of a guide-pin of the rear followerblock, and 22 is aseat'in the end of the drawbar for the pin upon the front follower-block. The relative arrangement of the several parts and elements is clearly shown by the drawings, the keys being passed through the holes or passages in the end of the draw-bar A and follower-blocks, and likewise through the elongated slots in the draft sills, cheek-' plates, and links. Cotters may be employed to hold the keys in place when necessary. As shown, the parts are in their normal ositions, the front key being at the midd e of the front elongated slots in the draft-timbers and the middle and rear keys being at the extreme ends of the elongated slots. The front key is movable one and three-fourths inches-in either direction backward and forward. The middle key can move rearwardly one and three-fourths inches, and the rear key, can move forwardly a like distance. The springs are slightly under compression when the gear is assembled. a

The modus operandi is as follows: In drawing the middle key and front follower-block are stationary, while the draw-bar, front and rear keys, the side links, and rear followerblock move forwardly, and atthe same time the springs are compressed. The central elongated slots in the links move over the;

In buffing the rear key and rear followerblock are stationary, while the draw-bar and ICC front follower-block move rearwardly, at the coupler, the front and middle keys, and the same time compressing the springs. The side links do not move, as they are provided with elongated slots, in which the front and middle keys travel. When the front and middle keys have moved approximately one and three-fourths inches, they reach the ends of the elongated slots in the draft-timbers andtransmit and distribute the shocks and strains not absorbed by the springs through the draft-"timbers at six separate points, as is obvious, and also to the filling-block 4, against the end of'which the rear followerblock has a frictional bearing. I

It is clear from the foregoing description that We have produced a draft and bufling gear which is superior to others of a wellknown construction. We dispense with the use of theweaktail-bolt, and especially the riveted yoke, which renders repairs difficult,

it being necessary for two or more men to.

apply or replace gears embracing these elements, as means must be provided for come pressing the springs before they can be inserted between the follower-plates. More over, in bllffillg and drawingthe strain and shocks are usually concentrated at a single point in each draft-silll With' our construction one man can apply or replace the several parts of the gear, for when a cou ler, spring or springs, followerblock, or lin is to be removed it is necessary only to drive out a key, make the desired change, and replace the key and drive the same into position, the taper upon the end of the key compressing the spring or springs as the key moves to its normal position Within the slots of the draft-timbers.

' In buffing and drawing our gear transmits and distributes the strains and shocks throughout the length of the draft-timbers ments applied to a car having separate a slotted draft-timbers, we do not intend to restrict ourselves to such application, as the gear may be used with deep metallic center sills having slots, or other slotted supports may be employed at the will of the constructor. Modifications and changes. may also be introduced in the shape and arrangement of the movable elements of the gear without constituting substantial departuresi What we claim is IL The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of a coupler and draw-bar; a front follower-block; a rear follower-block; a spring or springs between the blocks; slotted links;'

taking the strains and being movable relative to one of the keys in drawing.

- 2. The combination in a draft and buffing.

gear, of a coupler and draw-bar; a front follower-block with a perforation a rear follower-block; a spring or springs between the blocks; slotted links which latter take the strains; and keys one of said keys being passed through the front follower-block and movable with said block; the slots in the links being adapted to move over one of the keys in drawing and the links during the act of buffing to remain stationary.

3. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of a coupler and draw-bar a front movable follower-block; a rear movable followerblock; a spring or springs between the blocks; links each having two elongated slots, said links taking the strains in drawing; keys; and slotted supports for the keys; the front and middle keys only being adapted to move within slots in the act of buffing, and one of the elongated slots in each link to move over a key during the act of drawing.

4. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of a draw-bar and coupler; supports having three elongated slots; three keys movable inthe slots; two slotted links, the central slots being elongated one side of the key; a front follower-block; a rear followerblock; and a spring or springs between the follower-blocks; said draw-bar being provided with a perforation and within which is located a key, and said links imparting motion to the rear key and taking the strains in drawing.

5. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of a coupler and draw-bar a perforated follower-block in the rear of the end of the draw-bar; a rear follower-block; a spring or springs between the blocks; slotted supports or drafttimbers; slotted links; and keys within the perforations of the draw-bar,

- blocks, links and su ports; the front slots in the supports being e ongated each side of the front key and the other slots one side of a'key, and'the links taking the strains in drawing.

6. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of supports, each having three slots; a

draw-bar with a perforation; a front follower-block in contact with the end of the gated slots in the supports.

I j a springor Springs betweenithe'fo I 7. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of slotted supports; perforated follower-blocks located between the suplports;

owerblocks; two slotted links located between the su orts and one on each side of thefollowerocks keys and a coupler and drawbar; the front key being located in the center of the'slots in the sup orts and movable with thedraw-bar, and t eother keys each being movable in one direction onlyfrom normal position, v I 8. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of slotted supports, allthe slots being elongated; arear follower-block with a perforation; slotted links between thesupports, two of said slots being elongated; a spring or springs in front of the follower-block; a movable key passed through the rear slots in the supports, the follower-block, and the rear. slots in the links said key being movable from its normal positionin a forward direction only; a movable key located ithin the slots of the supports and the S10 s of the links'in front of the spring or springs; and a draw-barand coupler; the front ends of the links being secured to the draw-bar, and said links being movable relative to the movable key located in front of the spring or springs,

in drawing. a

9. The combinationin a'draft and buffing gear, of a draw-bar; links which taketlie strains in drawing; means including springs for holding the draw-bar in normal position;

' and three movable keys for arresting the in- 'wai'd and outward travel of the draw-bar when moved from its normal position in either direction'the rear key being movable from its normal position in a forward direction only; in substance as set forth.

I 10. The coribcinatiloln in a draft and bufiinggear provi e su orts havin slots of a coupler and ,ggiw-ba f i a frontfollower block; a rear f llbwer-block; a spring or springs between the blocks; slottecl links which take the strains in drawing; and keys the front and middle keys only being adapted to move rearwardly in bufling, and the front and rear keys only to move forwardly in drawin 4 11. =he combination in a draft and buffing gear having slots, of'a coupler and perforated draw-bar; a front follower-block with a hole; a rear follower-block; a spring or springs between the blocks; links; and keys; the front and middle keys and the front follower-block being adapted ,to move rearwardly during the act of bufling, and the rear key to remain stationary.

12. The combination in a draft and buffin gear, of a' coupler and draw-bar;a front fo lower-block; a rear movable followerblock; aspring or springs between the blocks; links which take the strains in drawing, each having elongated slots; keys; andslotted supports for the keys all said keys being adapted to move within slots, the rearkey movable in a forward direction only, and the central elongated slots of the links adapted to move over a key during the act of drawing.

13. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of a drawibar and coupler supports each having elongated slots; three movable keys in the slots; two slotted links which take the strainsl in drawing, the said slots being elongated so the front and middle keys may move within the-slots a front follower-block; a rear follower-block movable from its normal position in a forward direction only; and a springo'r springs between the follower-blocks said draw-bar being provided with a perforation and within which is located a key. a

14. The combinationfin a draft and buffing gear, of a coupler and draw bar; a front follower-block at the rear of the end of the draw-bar; a rear follower-block; a spring or springs between the blocks; slotted supports or draft-timbers; slotted links; and keys; the

central key and front follower-block being movable together, and the slotted links transmitting-'motion to the rear key when the draw-bar is advanced in drawing.

' 15. The combination in'a draft and buffing gear, of a coupler and draw-bar; slotted supports; follower-blocks; s' rings between said links being located between the slotted supports and the follower-blocks and serv ing totransmit motion from the "draw-bar} totherear key in drawing.

7 16. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of a'coupler' and draw-bar; slotted supports; follower-blocks; slottedlinks; keys vwhich sup" ort the links; and springs; the front key ein movable in two directions and the other ieys being each movable in one direction from its normal position.

17. The combination with a draft and buffing gear, constructed substantially as set forth, of a draw-bar springs follower-blocks two slotted links; slotte-dflsupports; keys,'.all of which are movable, the front followerblockand the key passed through the same being movable together; and said links being located between the slotted supports and the draw-bar and s )ring or springs.

18. The com ination with a draft and bufi ing gear, constructed substantially as y described, of draft timbers and plates, each having three elongated slots for the receptionof movable keys; one of said slots being elongated. on both sides of a key and the other slots on one side of a:key only when the keys are in operative positions.

19. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of. slotted supports, all of said slots bemg elongated; follower-blocks located between the supports; a spring or springs between the follower-blocks; two slotted links located between the su orts'and one on each side of the followerlbcks; keys; and. a coupler and draw-bar; the front followerblock and the key passing through the same being movable together. v

20. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of slot-ted sup orts, all the slots bein elongated; a rear -ol-lower-block with a ho le therethrongh; slotted links'between the supports and one link on each side of the follower-block; a spring -or springs in front of the follower-block; a movable key passed through the rear slots in the su ports, the follower-block, and the rear s ots in the links, said key being movable in one direction only from its normal position; a movable key located Within slots of the supports and slots of the links and in front -of the s ring or springs; and a draw-bar and coup er; the front-ends of the links being secured to the draw-bar, and said links being movable relative-ito the said movable key.

21. The combination in a draft and buff- I ing gear, of supports havi slots, a coupler and draw-bar; a front f0 lower-block; a rear follower-block; slotted links; keyssupporting the draw-bar and follower-blocks and located within the slots of the supports; and

' two springs located side by side one above the other in a vertical plane between the follower-blocks; the front key and the middle key only being movable in bufiing and the front and rear keys only in drawing.

22. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, constructed substantially as described, of two slotted follower-blocks of identical construction, and rovided with lugs 13 and lugs 14 foren-terlng the coils'of springs so that they may be interchangeable; a draw-bar and coupler; links; and keys, said keys being located Within the slots of the follower-bloc s. s

23. The: combination in a draft and buff ing gear, -'of slotted supports; a draw-bar and con ler; front and rear follower-blocks; slotted inks; keys supporting the movable parts of the gear springs located between the follower-blocks; and a fixed block located between the supports in the rear of the rear follower-block and a ainst which the rear follower-block bears in ufling.

24. The combination in a draft and buffing gear, of a coupler and draw-bar with a slot; supports with elongated. slots; keys within the slots and one of said keys passed drawin through the slot in the draw-bar; a rear follower-block having a "bearing a ainst the rear key; a front follower-bloc bearing against the end of the draw-bar; means for limiting the forward movement of the front follower-block; a spring or-s rings between the follower-blocks; and linlis uniting the keys; the said links taking the strains in and having elongated slots within which t ing.

25. The combination in a draft and bill?- ing gear, of a coupler and draw-bar with a slot; supports with elongated slots; keys within the slots and one of said keys passed through the slot in the draw-bar; a rear follower-block having a bearing against the rear key which key is movable-from its normal position in one direction only; a front follower-block bearing against the end of the draw-bar; means for limiting the forward movement of the front follower-block in drawing; cushioning means between the follower-blocks; and links uniting the keys; said links taking the strains in drawing and being disconnected from the cushioning means and each having an elongated slot where it engages the rear key.

26. The combination with a draft and buffing gear having a draw-bar, slotted supports, front, middle and rear keys, and links which take the strains and advance the rear ke e front key moves in the act of bufland follower-block in drawing, of two f0 lower-blocks and two s rings located side by side in a vertical plane etween the-followerblocks; said follower-blocksbeing provided with means for engaging and holding the s rings in place, and said rear key bein mova ble only in drawing and said middle key movable only in buffing.

27 The combination in a draft and buffin gear, of a coupler and draw-bar; a front follower-block; a rear follower-block as ring or springs between :the blocks; slotted inks; and keys; the rear key being movable froin its normal position in a forward direction only; the key passed through the front followerblock being movable from its normal position in a rearward direction only; the two rear slots in each link being elongated; and the front follower-block and the key which su ports it being movable together;

n testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

- IRA ORVILLE WRIGHT.

JOHN. HANCOCK FARLOW. Witnesses;

Tnos. KENT BRADFORD, FRED J .-'Hnss. 

